How to Adopt a Shorkie in New Mexico

Are you ready to add a little spark to your life? A shorkie might just be what you’re looking for. These babies pack major personalities into their small frames, making them excellent partners for people living in apartments, whether you’re in Santa Fe or Albuquerque. Their long coats handle the diverse New Mexico climate well, from sunny days to cooler evenings.

Before you start learning how to adopt a shorkie in New Mexico, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the breed’s quirks. These dogs are always full of spirit, affectionate and sometimes a bit sassy. Knowing what makes a shorkie happy makes for a smoother transition and years of happy zoomies.

Shorkie Adoption in New Mexico

When you’re ready to bring one of these sweethearts home, start by exploring local rescues or breed-specific groups across the state. They often post photos of available dogs, allowing you to browse potential companions on their sites. The official adoption process begins with submitting an application.

This is your opportunity to tell the rescue about the home you’ve prepared. You’ll provide details about your living situation and answer questions about whether you rent or own your home, if you have a fenced yard, and information about your family and other pets, if any. Be as honest and thorough as possible.

Once your application is approved, many rescues move to the interview stage and visit your home. It’s a casual chat to discuss dog ownership and see where the shorkie will be living. They might also ask you how you plan to handle training or grooming. This is your moment to ask them questions about the dog’s history and personality.

The final step is meeting the dogs in person. You can spend time with the little dog that you’ve been matched with to see if that special connection is there. When all is clear, you’ll finalise the adoption by signing the contract and paying the fee. From there, you can take them home and enjoy your new life together!

No data found.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Shorkie in New Mexico?

The fee you pay for a shorkie is usually between $250 and $500 for a rescue or a highly desired small-breed mix. Your fee will cover spay/neuter surgery, a microchip with lifetime registration, and all initial vaccinations such as distemper and rabies.

Shorkies are one of the best low-maintenance hypoallergenic dogs, perfect for people with health-related issues. They still need professional clipping done every few weeks, plus daily brushing at home to prevent matting. Apart from that, you need to budget for their food, water bowls, leashes, collars, bedding, a crate, vitamins, health supplements and more.

How Should I Train a Shorkie?

Positive training is the best way to teach playful dogs like shorkies. They can be stubborn, but they respond well to treats and plenty of praise. This approach builds trust and makes training fun instead of a chore. Positive reinforcement is especially important because these playful dogs are full of energy and curiosity.

You can take your training sessions outdoors in New Mexico. Practice recall at Santa Fe’s Frank S. Ortiz Dog Park, an ideal spot to reinforce commands. You can also visit Albuquerque’s North Domingo Baca Dog Park, which has safe, separate areas for small dogs to socialize and practice obedience.

Start with simple commands. Teach them to come when called, sit, and roll over. Soon enough, you can start practising more complex commands like puzzles and obstacle courses. You can also help your dog become more confident by signing up for Dog Academy’s Building Confidence for Dogs course.

Dog Training with Dog Academy

Find the Right Shorkie in New Mexico for You

Going on an adoption journey for a shorkie is always very exciting. You’ll need to begin by looking at different local rescues. Spend time with them, give them ample attention, and select your new dog. Pay the adoption fee, sign the paperwork and get ready to spoil them with all your love and affection.